Apparatus for and method of hermetically sealing a package



Sept 12, 1%67 BOFINGER 3,340,668

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF HERMETICALLY SEALING PACKAGE Filed Sept v28, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. A64 H BO/V/Vf/Q WW QM Sept. 12, 1967 3,340,668

K. BOFINGER APPARA US FOR AND METHOD OF HERMETlCALLY SEALING A PACKAGE Filed Sept. 28, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 SOURCE 0/ law V/I'CUUM I NVENTOR.

A T TORIVEYS Sept. 12, 1%?

Filed Sept. 28, 1964 K. BOFINGER APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF HERMETlCALLY SEALING A PACKAGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. K4191 fia /N65,?

ATTORNEYS United States Patent ()fifice 3,348,668 Patented Sept. 12, 1967 3,340,668 APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF HERMET- ICALLY SEALING A PACKAGE Karl Bofinger, Barrington, Ill., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Sept. 28, 1964, Ser. No. 399,554 20 Claims. (Cl. 5322) 'in a sealed disposition largely by atmospheric pressure.

While methods and apparatus for vacuumizing and closing containers are well known, such methods and apparatus are incapable of vacuumizing and closing a package which comprises a rigid-like base and a plastic cover maintained in an hermetically sealed disposition with said base by atmospheric pressure. An example of such a container is illustrated in US. Patent No. 3,087,823. This package comprises a rectangular base and a rectangular plastic cover. The periphery of the rectangular cover is recessed and sealing compound is positioned within the recess to provide an hermetic seal between the plastic cover and the metallic base when the periphery of the cover is forced into the sealing compound.

The employment of known methods and apparatus for closing and sealing containers is, from a practical or commercial standpoint, limited to containers which are closed by heat sealing, conventional single or double seaming operations or threaded connections located between a container body and a cover therefor. Containers closed in this manner do not present, during the closing and sealing operations, the problems presented by a container which is closed by forcing the package elements into frictional engagement under a vacuumized condition. The package is thereafter maintained in an hermetically sealed disposition by atmospheric pressure.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of sealing a container which is maintained in a sealed condition largely by atmospheric pressure.

Another object is to provide a method of closing a container by forcing the cover and base elements of a container together to form a frictional engagement therebetween while the elements are maintained under vacuum.

Yet another object is to provide an apparatus for effecting the closing steps of the instant invention.

An additional object is to provide a container closing machine in which a package is readily closed and vacuumized in an eflicient manner.

A further object is to provide a container-closing machine which feeds packages to be closed therein gently and without disturbing the desired arrangement of the package elements.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

The above objects are accomplished by locating a plastic cover, in an inverted position, on a moving belt, filling the plastic cover with a suitable product, closing the open end of the cover with a sealing compound-lined metal base, directing the package to a rotary turret table, forming a vacuum chamber by positioning reciprocated sealing members against the upper and lower surfaces of the turret table, subjecting the vacuum chamber to low and high vacuum sources, forcing the cover and base into frictional engagement to form an hermetic seal while the package is subjected to the higher vacuum source and removing the package from the vacuum chamber after breaking the vacuum, whereby the atmospheric pressure acting on the cover and base in cooperation with the sealing compound maintains the package in an hermetically sealed disposition.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hermetically sealed container after its discharge from the packaging machine;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the packaging machine;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package, the sealing head and the package support member, illustrating the package before it is closed and hermetically sealed;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package, the sealing head and the package support element,

' support member after the package has been removed from the vacuum chamber;

FIG. 7 is a perspective View of the package support member; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic driving diagram for the turret table and the wheels which supply and remove the package from the turret table.

As a preferred or exemplary embodiment of the instant invention, the drawings illustrate a conveyor belt B which supplies packages P to a turret table 10. The turret table is supported on a stationary support frame 12. The conveyor belt B may be supported and driven by any well-known means (not shown). The package P comprises a plastic cover 14 and a substantially rigid rectangular base 16 within which a peripheral recess 18 is formed. The cover 14 comprises a flat rectangular panel 20 and a depending wall 22. The lower extremity of the depending wall 22 is provided with a peripheral flange 24 which, when the package is closed, contacts a sealing compound 26 located within the peripheral recess 18 of the metallic base 16.

To facilitate the filling of the subject packages, the plastic covers 14 are placed, in spaced relation, on the belt B in an inverted position, i.e. with the panel 20 contacting the belt. As the inverted plastic covers 14 approach the turret table 10, the plastic covers are partially filled with a product either by hand or by an appropriate filling machine. The peripheral recess 18 of the metallic base 16 is lined with suitable sealing compound 26, after which the base is loosely placed over the peripheral flange 24 of the plastic cover 14.

The packages P are directed to and from the turret table 10 by a guide plate 28 which contacts the depending wall 22 and extends across the belt B and terminates along the inner surface of the turret table 10. Any suitable support means (not shown) may be employed to maintain the guide plate 28 in the illustrated position. The guide plate 28 is provided with curved surfaces 30 and 32, which extend vertically a distance slightly less than the height of the depending wall 22 of the plastic cover 14. This relationship prevents contact between the curved surface 30 and the metallic base 16 and thereby insures the proper location of the base 16 relative to the plastic cover 14 as each package is directed onto the turret table 10.

The turret table 10 and reciprocated sealing members, described in detail hereinafter, cooperate to form six vacuum chambers 34 which receive the packages P from the belt B, via the guide plate 28 and a feed wheel 36. The rotation of the feed wheel 36 and the rotation of the turret table is timed to insure the arrival of the package P as the vacuum-forming members pass the feed wheel 36. In order to discharge the sealed packages P from the turret table 10 as the packages are forced along the curved surface 32, a discharge wheel 40 is positioned between the turret table and the belt B and also rotated in timed relation with the turret table. Such timing is insured by driving the turret table 10, the feed wheel 36 and the discharge wheel 40 with a common chain 42 (FIG. 8) via suitable sprockets. The feed wheel 36 and the discharge wheel 40 are respectively attached to shafts 44 and 46 in any well-known manner. A sprocket wheel 48 is attached to the shaft 44 and a sprocket wheel 50 is attached to shaft 46. The turret table 10 is driven by a sprocket wheel 52 (FIG. 3) attached to the bottom of the turret by screws 54. A drive shaft 55 supplies power to a transmission 56 which drives the chain 42 via an output sprocket 57. The ratio of the diameter of the turret sprocket 52 to the diameter of either the sprockets 48 or 50 is 1.5: 1. i

The packages P are supported within the periphery of the turret table 10, in annular relation, by six rectangular support discs 58 located within rectangular apertures 60. Each rectangular support disc 58 is adjustably supported within the aperture 60 by a vertical shaft 62. The lower end of the shaft 62 is positioned within an aperture 64 located at the base of the turret and adjustably secured therewithin by set screws 66. The shaft 62 extends through an aperture 68 located within a support platform generally designated 72, described in detail hereinafter, and terminates within an aperture 70 located at the center of the support disc 58. The upper end of the vertical shaft 62 is attached to the support disc 58 by any suitable means (not shown).

As each sealed package P approaches, for discharge, the leading edge of the curved surface 32, it is partially removed from the support disc 58 by the curved surface, whereupon, a radially extending finger 74 of the discharge wheel 40 contacts the trailing portion of the depending wall 22 and discharges the sealed package P from the turret table 10. One of the fingers 76 of the feed Wheel 36 similarly cooperates with the curved surface 30 to force an unsealed package onto the vacated support disc 58.

As previously stated, the preferred embodiment of the packaging machine is provided with six vacuum chambers 34 to effect an hermetic sealing of the instant packages P. The following-described packaging machine is limited to one of such vacuum chambers. However, it is understood that each vacuum chamber is constructed and operated in the manner described hereinafter and that the number of vacuum chambers may be varied. The bottom of the turret table 10 is sealed to close the vacuum chamber 34 by sealing rings attached to the reciprocating support platform 72. The periphery of the support platform 72 is provided with an annular recess 78 within which a sealing ring 80 is attached in any suitable manner. A second seal 82 is carried within an annular recess 84 formed within .a cylindrical wall 83 of the support platform 72. The seal 82 cooperates with a cylindrical neck 84 of the support panel 58 to form an airtight seal therebetween. When the support platform 72 is reciprocated upwardly to an extended position, the sealing ring 80 is positioned against the lower surface of the turret table 10 and the sealing ring 82 is simultaneously positioned along the cylindrical neck 84, whereby two concurrent airtight seals are maintained below the turret table 10 when the vacuum chamber 34 is successively communicated with two vacuum sources, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

As the support platform 72 is reciprocated to its extended position, the plastic cover 14 and the metallic base 16 are elevated from the support disc 58 to a sealing position by a package support member generally designated 88. The support member 88 is positioned within an annular recess 90 of the support platform 72 and attached therewithin by screws 94 which project through apertures 06 located within a rectangular base 98 of the support member. As shown in FIG. 7, the support member 88 also comprises an imperforate vertical extending wall 100 and four connecting walls 102 formed integrally with the rectangular base 98 and the wall 100. The vertical wall 100 is located along the periphery of the support disc 58. The upper periphery of the vertical wall 100 is recessed to form an inwardly extending shoulder 103, thereby allowing the remaining portion of the vertical wall to be disposed within the flange 24 of the plastic cover. To provide maximum contact along the flange 24, and therefore a maximum sealing area, the upper end of the vertical wall 100 is curved at 104.

The support platform 72 and a cover support member 88 are moved from a retracted position (right side of FIG. 3) to an extended or actuated position (left side of FIG. 3) by push rods 106 which are attached to the support platforms 72 by bolts 108. The push rods 106 are actuated by an annular cam groove 116 in the peripheral surface of stationary ring 110 which effects the desired movement of the support platform via a cam roller 112 secured to the lower end of the push rod 106 by a pin 114. The ring 110 is provided with an integral base through which suitable bolts 118 extend to secure the ring to the support frame 12.

To form an airtight vacuum chamber 34, the inner surface of the turret table 10 is also periodically sealed, above the support platform 72, by a reciprocating bellshaped sealing head 120. To effect such a seal, the open end of the sealing head 120 is recessed and an O-ring 122 is attached therewithin. To effect reciprocation of the sealing head 120, a push rod 124 is attached to the sealing head by bolts 126. The turret is provided with apertures 128 and 130, through which the push rods 124 extend to provide support for the push rods. An enlarged aperture 132 is formed in the turret table to allow the push rods 124 to extend therethrough without contact. A stationary member 134 is secured to the support frame 12 by bolts 135 to provide the desired movement of the sealing head 120. An annular cam groove or surface 138 is provided within the periphery of the member 134. A cam roller 136, positioned within the cam surface 138, provides reciprocation of the push rods 124 and is connected to the lower end of the push rod by a pin 139.

From the above description, it will be noted that the turret table 10, the sealing head 120 and the support platform 72 co-act to form an airtight vacuum chamber 34. The packages P are supported within the vacuum chambers 34 by the support disc 58 which is located parallel to the upper surface of the turret table 10. This construction allows the loosely supported base 16 and the cover 14 to be placed on the turret table 10 and removed therefrom without excessive movement. Additionally, the vertical wall 100 of the package support member 88 automatically positions the cover 14 since the vertical wall 100 is larger than the depending wall 22 of the cover. As the vertical wall 100 is displaced upwardly to position the package in the sealing position, the vertical wall 100 slides along the depending wall 22 and properly positions the package before it is lifted from the support disc 58.

As previously discussed, the package P is moved from the support disc 58 to a sealing position, within the sealing head 120, by the vertical wall 100 of the package support member 88. During this movement, the sealing head 120 is also moved to form an airtight seal above the turret table 10. The sealed vacuum chamber 34 formed by these movements communicates with low and high vacuum sources, as will be explained hereinafter. Package P is moved from the support disc 58 to a position ap-' proximately in. below a pressure plate 140 (FIGS. 4

and 5) biased away from the inside, upper surface of the sealing head 120 by a plurality of springs 142 located within recesses 144 found within the upper surface of the plate 140 and retained therein by bolts 146. This arrangement permits vacuumizing the package P. After the package P has been carried in this position through the low and high vacuums, the package support 88 moves up an additional A1 in. so that the metal base 16, gasketing compound 26 and flange 24 are tightly compressed by the springs 142 under the plate 140, thereby displacing the compound 26 to form an hermetic seal. To effect the additional in. upward movement of the support 88, the ring 110 is provided on its lower surface with a bump or raised portion 150 indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 3. The bump 150 is located about 75 toward the back of the view shown in FIG. 3, just before the sealing head 120 moves out of communication with the high vacuum source.

The upper end of the sealing head 120 also includes an apertured cylindrical neck 158 to which a hose 160 is attached to communicate two vacuum sources with the vacuum chamber 34. To provide two vacuum sources during the closing and sealing of the package P, the vacuum chamber 34 is successively subjected to low and high sources as the turret table is rotated. In order to supply such vacuums, a stationary valve plate 162 is attached to the upper end of the support frame 12. The valve plate 162 is fixedly mounted on a shaft 164 which extends through the stationary valve plate, a rotary valve plate, described hereinafter, and the turret. The shaft 164 terminates in the upper hollow extremity of the support frame 12. The shaft 164 is attached to the frame 12 by a Weld 165. The upper periphery of the shaft 164 is provided with an annular recess 166 and a slot within which a key 168 is inserted. The key 168 also extends in a slot formed within the valve plate 162. A bolt 172, attached to the upper end of the shaft 164, forces a washer 170 against the stationary valve plate 162 to provide adjustment of the stationary valve plate relative to the rotary valve.

The stationary valve plate 162 is provided with two spaced arcuate chambers 174 and 176 located on opposite sides of a land 178. A low vacuum source is supplied to the arcuate chamber 174 by a pipe 180 and a similar pipe 182 supplies a high vacuum source to the arcuate chamber 176. A rotary valve plate 184, located immediately below the stationary valve plate 162, is provided with an L-shaped passage 186 which communicates successively with the spaced arcuate chambers 174, the land 178 and the arcuate chamber 176 during rotation of the rotary valve plate. The rotary valve plate 184 is attached to the upper end of the turret by screws 188.

The above-described valve construction provides the Lshaped passages 186 with a low vacuum as the L-shaped passages communicate with the arcuate chamber 174. Immediately thereafter the L-shaped passage 186 passes under the land 178, thereby blocking communication between the vacuum chamber 34 and the arcuate chamber 174. As the L-shaped passage 186 moves beyond the land 178, communication between the L-shaped passage and a high vacuum source is established by arcuate chamber 17 6.

These vacuum sources are transmitted from the L- shaped passage to the vacuum chamber 34 by a pipe 185, positioned within and suitably attached within the L- 6 belt B is driven at a linear velocity of 75 feet per minute and the turret table is rotated approximately at 16% revolutions per minute for an output of 100 packages per minute. The plastic covers 14 are located on the moving belt B in inverted spaced relationship and partially filled with a food product such as sliced cheese or bologna. The peripheral annular recess 18 of the metal base 16 is filled with the sealing compound 26, after which the metal base is loosely placed over the periphery of the plastic cover 14. The feed wheel 36, rotated in timed relationship with the belt B and theturret table 10, contacts the trailing portion of the plastic cover 14 and forces the plastic cover along guide surface 30 to thereby locate the plastic cover on the support disc 58 located within the periphery of the turret table 10. While the turret table 10 is rotated approximately 60 degrees, the support platform 72 and the sealing head 120 are reciprocated to a sealed position to form an air tight vacuum chamber 34. During this reciprocation, the package P is lifted from the support disc 58 to a sealing position by a package support member 88, carried by the support platform. The package support member 88 including the vertical Wall 100 contacts the peripheral flange 24 of the plastic cover 14 to lift the package from the support disc 58.

While the support platform 72 and the sealing head 120 are maintained in sealing engagement with the turret table 10, the vacuum chamber 34 is subjected to a low vacuum source of 25 of Hg as the L-shaped passage 186 of the rotary valve 184 passes under the arcuate chamber 174 formed by the stationary valve 162. The package P is partially vacuumized by the low vacuum as the turret table 10' is rotated for approximately 48 degrees, whereupon communication between the low vacuum source and the vacuum chamber 34 is broken as the L-shaped passage 186 communicates with the land 178 formed on the lower surface of the stationary valve 162 for 10 degrees. The vacuum chamber 34 is then subjected to a high vacuum source of 28 of Hg for approximately 48 as the L-shaped passage 186 communicates with the port 176. While the vacuum chamber 34 is subjected to the high vacuum source, the package P is completely vacuumized.

Immediately before communication between the L- shaped passage 186 and the arcuate passage 176 is broken, the package support 88 is moved up to the final position Where the springs on the plate 140 are compressed and thereby displace the sealing compound 26 between the base 16 and the cover flange 24 to form a hermetic seal.

After sealing the package the vacuum is broken and the sealing head 120 and the support platform 72 a retracted in opposite directions as the turret table is further rotated to allow the hermetically sealed package P to be withdrawn from the turret table 10. During this rotation, the vertical wall 100 is displaced below the shaped passages, and the flexible hose 160. From the 1 above description, it is obvious that while the package P is supported within the sealed vacuum chamber 34 by the package support member 88, the vacuum chamber is successively placed in communication with a low vacuum source 174, a land 178 and a high vacuum source 176. This operation insures, in an efficient manner, a high vacuum within the vacuum chamber 34 when the package is ultimately forced closed and an hermetic seal is simultaneously effected.

The above-described apparatus effects an hermetic sealing of the packages P in the following manner. The

upper surface of the turret table 10 to allow the curved surface 32 of guide plate 28 to sweep the hermetically sealed package from the support disc 58. The discharge wheel forces the hermetically sealed package along the curved surface 32 and discharges the package on the moving belt B.

After breaking the vacuum, atmospheric pressure acting on the periphery of the wall 22 forces the wall against the metallic base 16 and against the product contained within the cover 14. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the force exerted by the atmospheric pressure and the sealing compound 26 co-act to form an hermetically sealed package.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the steps of the method described and their order of accomplishment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing the material advantages, the method and apparatus hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A method of sealing a package comprising the steps of:

placing a first and second package element on a table in superimposed relation;

forming an air-tight vacuum chamber for said package elements of two relatively movable sealing members located on opposite sides of said table; communicating a vacuum source to said chamber; forcing said container package elements into sealing engagement by one of said relatively movable sealing members while said vacuum chamber is in communication with said vacuum source; and

removing said package from said vacuum chamber after discontinuing said vacuum.

2. The method of sealing a package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said chamber is placed in communication with two sources of vacuum of increasing intensity and said package is sealed while said chamber is in communication with the higher vacuum source.

3. The method of sealing a package as set forth in claim 2 wherein the first package element is supported within the vacuum chamber and the second package element is moved upwardly to seal the package.

4. A method of sealing a package comprising the steps of:

placing a container base and cover therefor on a rotary table in superposed relation;

forming an air -tight vacuum chamber for said base and cover by two movable sealing members located on opposite sides of said rotary table;

communicating at least one vacuum source to said chamber;

forcing said container base and cover into sealing engagement by one of said movable sealing members while said vacuum chamber is in communication with said vacuum source; and

removing said package from said vacuum chamber after discontinuing said vacuum.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said vacuum chamber is successively communicated with low and high vacuum sources and said package is sealed while the chamber is in communication with said high vacuum source.

6. A packaging machine for vacuumizing and closing a package comprising:

a turret table;

a feed mechanism for supply package elements to said turret table;

first and second sealing elements located on opposite sides of said turret table, movable toward one another to provide a vacuum chamber for said package elements;

means for communicating at least one vacuum source with said vacuum chamber; and

actuation means operatively connected with said sealing elements for effecting relative movement between said package elements while said vacuum chamber is under vacuumized conditions whereby the package elements are forced into frictional engagement to close and seal said package.

7. A packaging machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first sealing element includes a package element support member to elevate one of said package elements into said frictional engagement with said other package element.

8. A packaging machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein said support member is elevated by a cam.

9. A packaging machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second sealing element is located above the turret table and includes a spring-biased plate to force said package elements into said frictional engagement. 7

10. A packaging machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein two vacuum sources of increasing intensity are successively communicated with said vacuum chamber by valve means and by conduits located between said valve means and said second sealing element.

11. A packaging machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said relative movement occurs while said vacuum chamber is communicated with the higher vacuum source. 12. A packaging machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said valve means comprises an apertured rotary valve and a stationary valve plate having slots communicating with apertures in said rotary valve.

13. A packaging machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein stationary cams effect reciprocating movement of said sealing elements.

14. In a rotary packaging machine having a turret table on which a plastic cover and a rigid base are placed in superposed relation comprising in combination:

at least one support disc located within a recess of the turret table and adapted to receive said plastic cover;

first and second sealing members located on opposite sides of said turret table reciprocally movable to provide a seal radially outwardly of the support disc during a portion of the turret table rotation;

actuation means operatively connected to said sealing members to provide said reciprocation of the sealing members into engagement with said table to form a vacuum chamber;

vacuum-forming means for communicating a vacuum to said vacuum chamber; and

means for forcing the plastic cover into frictional engagement with the rigid base when the vacuum chamber is communicated with the vacuum source.

15. A rotary packaging machine as set forth in claim 13 wherein the plastic cover and the rigid base are elevated from the support disc to a closing position within said vacuum chamber by a vertical wall supported by said first sealing member.

16. A rotary packaging machine as set forth in claim 14 wherein said plastic cover and said rigid base are closed by means contacting said first sealing member, whereby a peripheral recess of said rigid base is forced into frictional engagement with the periphery of the plastic container.

17. A rotary packaging machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein the vertical wall is positioned below the upper surface of the turret table by a stationary cam as the plastic cover and the base are supplied to and discharged from the support disc.

18. A rotary packaging machine as set forth in claim 17 wherein the vertical wall is positioned between the periphery of the support disc and an aperture in the turret table.

19. A rotary packaging machine as set forth in claim 18 wherein the support disc is supported by the turret table and the upper surface of the support disc is positioned parallel with the upper surface of the turret table.

20. A rotary packaging machine as set forth in claim 19 including a guide plate for directing packages to and from the support disc.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 789,699 5/1905 Lorenz 53-108 2,227,190 12/ 1940 Kronquest 53112 2,684,777 7/1954 Danzin et al 53--9 X 3,220,153 11/1965 Cormack et al. 53112X TRAVIS s. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF SEALING A PACKAGE COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: PLACING A FIRST AND SECOND PACKAGE ELEMENT ON A TABLE IN SUPERIMPOSED RELATION; FORMING ON AIR-TIGHT VACUUM CHAMBER FOR SAID PACKAGE ELEMENTS OF TWO RELATIVELY MOVABLE SEALING MEMBERS LOCATED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID TABLE; COMMUNICATING A VACUUM SOURCE TO SAID CHAMBER; FORCING SAID CONTAINER PACKAGE ELEMENTS INTO SEALING ENGAGEMENT BY ONE OF SAID RELATIVELY MOVABLE SEALING MEMBERS WHILE SAID VACUUM CHAMBER IS IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID VACUUM SOURCE; AND REMOVING SAID PACKAGE FROM SAID VACUUM CHAMBER AFTER DISCONTINUING SAID VACUUM. 